A-Z Glossary

Here we have tried to demystify the jargon that is sometimes used in treatment.

1-2-1 support

All of our services offer one to one support. This means you will see one of our workers and it will be just the two of you, rather than a group situation.

12 Step Model

This model is used by Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. This is a recovery model which you take part in with a group of others, not alone. It combines informal group meetings with individual support from a ‘sponsor’. There are 12 steps to recovery which describe the experience others have gone through to recover. For example, the first step is to realise and admit to yourself and others that you have an addiction.

55+ Services

Many of our services provide help and support which is tailored to people aged 55 and over.

Abstinent based Interventions

In order to be abstinent you must no longer be misusing substances. Sometimes this also requires you to refrain from using prescribed medication. All of our services offer abstinent based interventions, providing help and treatment to people who are no longer using. If you are interested in becoming a peer mentor or a volunteer with us we usually require that you have been abstinent from drugs and alcohol for a certain number of months.

Adults (18+) Services

Each of our projects offer a range of services. The majority of these provide help and support for adults who are aged 18 and above.

Advice & Information

All of our services provide helpful advice and information about substance misuse and other relevant issues. You can find honest factsheets about drugs and alcohol here.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows down the body’s reactions in a number of ways. The alcohol you drink in alcoholic drinks is a chemical called ethanol produced by a process called fermentation. It is legal for anyone over the age of 18 to buy and drink alcohol but its effects can be as powerful as other drugs depending on its use. Excess alcohol use is associated with a number of physical and psychological health problems including cancer, liver disease, dependency and depression. Find out more information on our factsheet.

Alcohol Community Detox

This means we support you in the community as you stop using alcohol.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide a network of support or a form of self-help for alcoholics. The group follows the 12 Step Model. The only requirement to come along is a desire to stop drinking. You will not have to talk at a meeting if you don’t want to and anonymity is protected rigorously.

Antenatal Support

This is related to before birth or during pregnancy. We provide non-judgemental and inclusive support for pregnant women in our services, sometimes working closely with medical practitioners to ensure that pregnant women get the right medical treatment leading up to the birth of their baby.

Applications & Interview Support

We provide you with help and support to search for jobs, complete job applications, CVs and to prepare for interviews. We will also support you to apply for peer mentoring, volunteering or befriending roles.

Assessment

When you visit a service and when you are ready you will have an assessment with one of our workers. Everyone is different, and so it is really important in order for us to support anyone using our services that we have a good idea about who that person is, and what they want and need. This involves us sitting down with you to discuss and make a record of the help you require, so we can work together to understand how best to support you.

Benefits Support

The welfare benefit system is changing all the time and can be quite complicated. We try to help you to make sure that you are able to access the benefits that you are eligible for.

BBV Testing

We provide access to Blood Borne Virus (BBV) testing in our services. Hepatitis C, HIV and Hepatitis B are blood-borne viruses which cause long-term chronic illness. Injecting drug users are particularly vulnerable to these, and a range of viral infections, through the use and sharing of contaminated injecting equipment. However even if you are not injecting, there may well be other things that you are doing or have done in the past that mean you are at risk. Testing and early intervention increases the likelihood of successful treatment and reduces the risk of passing the disease to someone else. Find out more information on our factsheet.

Better Off Calculations

We work with you to look at how you spend your money and explore ways of changing this to make you better off.

Cannabis

Cannabis is one of the most widely used drugs in the United Kingdom. Cannabis use is associated with numerous health risks including issues with dependency and mental health problems. Find out more information on our factsheet.

Cannabis Anonymous

Cannabis Anonymous provide a network of support or a form of self-help for recovering addicts. The group follows the 12 Step Model. The only requirement to come along is a desire to stop using cannabis. You will not have to talk at a meeting if you don’t want to and anonymity is protected rigorously.

Carer Support

A person’s drug or alcohol use can have a big impact on the people close to them. All of our services offer support and advice to carers. This can include support groups or counselling.

Children's Services

Some of our services are for children and young people, rather than adults. These services offer accessible help and support if you are worried about or need help with alcohol or drugs. You can find honest factsheets about drugs and alcohol for children and young people here.

Club drugs

The term club drugs refers to a variety of drugs that are usually connected with the clubbing scene. Club drugs can include GHB, GBL, ketamine, MDMA, cocaine, methamphetamine, mephedrone and legal highs. All have different effects and carry significant risks. Find out more information on our factsheet.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a white powder derived from the Coca plant, which mainly grows in South America. Cocaine can be a powerful and extremely addictive stimulant that speeds up the body and mind for short amounts of time. There are a number of risks associated with cocaine use, including physical and psychological dependence. Find out more information on our factsheet.

Cocaine Anonymous

Cocaine Anonymous (CA) is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction. The group follows the 12 Step Model. The only requirement to come along is a desire to stop using cocaine and other mind-altering substances. You will not have to talk at a meeting if you don’t want to and anonymity is protected rigorously.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a therapy which helps you to manage your problems by changing how you think and behave. This works by breaking down problems which feel overwhelming for you into smaller parts. You will learn that your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and actions are related. Changing just one of these in a positive way can have a positive impact on all the others, helping you to have more control over your problems.

Community Education & Awareness Sessions

We work with communities to raise awareness, reduce stigma and make sure people are informed about drugs and alcohol. You can find honest factsheets about drugs and alcohol here.

Complementary Therapies

In our services we provide a range of complementary therapies which can have a very positive effect on how you feel, and reduce cravings. These include: Shiatsu massage, Indian head massage, aromatherapy massage, Reiki healing, acupuncture, relaxation, and yoga.

Counselling

In a counselling session you will be encouraged to talk freely about difficult or painful feelings and emotions. By discussing your problems with your counsellor, you can begin to deal with issues and understand yourself and your problems better.

Couples / Adult Family Member Meetings

A person’s substance misuse can have a big impact on the people close to them. Some of our services are able to provide supportive meetings which are open to couples or adult family members.

Crack

Crack is a form of cocaine. It can be a powerful and extremely addictive stimulant that speeds up the body and mind for short amounts of time. Crack takes the form of small off-white rocks or lumps that are used for smoking. They make a cracking sound when burned. Freebase cocaine can also be smoked but it looks more like a crystalline powder. There are several physical and psychological risks associated with using crack. Find out more information on our factsheet.

Creative Workshops

We provide a whole range of creative workshops for you to get involved with, from arts and music to dance and yoga.

Creche

Some of our services have creche facilities. This means someone is able to take care of your young children while you access our service.

Day Programme

Day programmes offer structured non-residential support. These structured day programmes help you to address your drug and alcohol problems while maintaining other areas of your life such as relationships with children, education and sometimes paid employment. You will have opportunities to develop new skills, learn alongside peers through group work and social activities, build new support networks and increase your confidence.

Detox

Detoxification or detox involves stopping using alcohol or substances. It can include taking medication to ease withdrawal symptoms.

Drug Intervention Programme (DIP)

Drug Intervention Programmes are designed to reduce crime by helping offenders who are misusing drugs to address their addiction. Several of our services have DIP workers. DIP workers support people through the criminal justice process – from being arrested and testing positive for drug use at the police station, through to going to court.

Drug Support in Prison

Some of our services work with people in the criminal justice system facing substance misuse or alcohol issues. This work includes providing support to people in prison.

Education Training & Employment (ETE)

This is a programme designed to support people affected by drug and alcohol use to access education, training and employment opportunities. Developing these skills will further aid your recovery journey.

Family Support

A person’s substance misuse can have a big impact on the people close to them. All of our services offer support and advice to families. Some of our services also offer specialist support for children, young people and families who are worried about a parent’s alcohol or drug use.

Goal Planning

We work with you to plan and set recovery goals which are achievable for you.

GP Shared Care

We work with GP surgeries and health centres, working alongside doctors to address drug dependency with their patients.

Group Support

All of our services offer group support. A Blenheim worker guides the session with a small group of people. It can often be helpful to work through things with people going through a similar recovery journey.

Harm Reduction Advice

Harm reduction means trying to reduce the harm that people do to themselves or others from their drug or alcohol use. All our services provide information and advice about using drugs safely and how to minimise the risk of contracting infectious diseases, overdosing or other health related risks.

Heroin

Heroin is a highly addictive sedative drug that is derived from the opium poppy. Blenheim can support heroin users around safer injecting practice, including providing clean equipment from one of our needle exchanges, substitute prescribing, and detoxification. Find out more information on our factsheet.

Home Visits

We offer support and help to families in their home that have difficulty accessing our services or may have stopped attending.

Housing Clinic

This means you can go along to the housing clinic for confidential advice and for help if you are worried about housing issues.

IT Skills

We will support you to use computers and develop IT skills, such as using the internet, setting up email or learning how to use Microsoft Office packages.

ITEP

Integrated Treatment Effectiveness Pilot (ITEP) is a node link mapping technique which we use in our services. Some people can struggle to express their feelings or needs. Mapping can help people explore the connections between their thoughts and feelings and how these impact on resultant behaviours. It is also an excellent communication tool to help people express themselves more effectively.

Keyworker

In our services you are given a named keyworker who will offer you support throughout your treatment and recovery journey with the service. Your keyworker often works with you on a 1-2-1 basis, and will help to coordinate your care with other services you may be accessing.

Khat

Khat is a stimulant that speeds up the body and mind. It is derived from a leafy green plant predominantly found in East Africa and its effect is similar, but less powerful than, amphetamine (speed). The vast majority of those ingesting khat do so by chewing. Only a small number ingest it by making a drink from dried leaves, or, even more rarely, by smoking dried leaves. Find out more information on our factsheet.

Legal highs

Legal highs, also known as New Psychoactive Substances or NPS, are substances that are not currently covered under drugs legislation. This is because they are relatively new and their effects are not yet known. Although they are legal they are not necessarily safe for human consumption. Find out more information on our factsheet.

Legal Surgery

During a legal surgery you can come along to get confidential advice and support on any legal issues that might be worrying you.

LGBT Services

All of our services provide help and advice which is tailored to support people who are lesbian, gay, bi or transsexual. Many of our services provide LGBT support groups.

Literacy & Numeracy Support

We offer support groups to help develop your reading, writing and mathematical skills.

Men Only Groups

Some of our services offer support groups which are exclusively for men, which can provide a safe and supportive environment to work through difficult issues.

Methadone

Methadone is a synthetic opiate manufactured for use as a painkiller and is prescribed as a substitute for heroin in the treatment of heroin addiction. It has similar effects to heroin but doesn’t deliver the same high. Find out more information on our factsheet.

Models of care

This refers to the different levels of treatment for people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Tier 1 describes services which aren’t related to substance misuse, like housing or social services. Tier 2 describes drug or alcohol services which are open access like advice and information, or drop in. Tier 3 describes drug or alcohol services which are structured like ITEP or day programmes. Tier 4 describes drug or alcohol services like residential or detox units.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative conversation that aims to strengthen your motivation for and commitment to change. If you have conflicted feelings about your need to change then MI supports you to explore your values and concerns. This is a natural part of the change process. We work with you to strengthen your readiness for change.

Mutual Aid Groups

Mutual aid groups are peer support groups. We support groups run by peers such as 12 Step Programmes and SMART Recovery Groups. This extra support outside of treatment and in the local community benefits you and widens your overall recovery capital.

Narcotics Anonymous

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provide a network of support or a form of self-help for recovering addicts. The group follows the 12 Step Model. The only requirement to come along is a desire to stop using drugs. You will not have to talk at a meeting if you don’t want to and anonymity is protected rigorously.

Needle Exchange

In our needle exchanges we provide clean and sterile injecting equipment and will dispose of used works. You can also get advice on safer injecting and general healthcare. If you use drugs it is very important to use clean and sterile needles and injecting paraphernalia and you should not share it with others. This will minimise your chances of becoming infected with Hepatitis C or HIV.

Non-Abstinent based Interventions

Non-abstinent means that you are still using drugs or alcohol. All of our services offer support and treatment for non-abstinent users.

Nurse Clinics

We offer appointments with a specialist nurse within some of our services.

Nutrition Advice

We can support you to achieve a balanced diet and inform you about the things you should be eating and drinking to keep yourself healthy.

Open Access

Most of our services are open access which means that during our drop in times you are able to come into our service for a cup of tea and a chat with a member of the team.

Out of Hours Service

Many of our services are open outside standard working hours, such as evenings or weekends.

Outreach

We offer support and help to people in the community that have difficulty accessing our services or may have stopped attending. Our outreach workers try to engage people in treatment, offer harm reduction advice and support in accessing the correct treatment.

Parenting Programmes

Some of our services provide parenting programmes to help support and guide parents.

Peer Mentoring

Peer mentoring is about drawing on your experiences of recovering from drug or alcohol dependency to support someone who is at an earlier stage of their recovery journey. Our peer support scheme provides excellent training and support to those wishing to become peer mentors. You will complete 8 training sessions, leading to a mentoring placement and continuing support and supervision from us. Peer mentors play a really important part in providing a voice for the service user as well as being positive role models.

Prescribing Clinics

This is a clinic where medication (methadone or buprenorphine) can be prescribed as a substitute for heroin.

Professional Referral

This means that someone else can refer you to our service. This will usually be a GP or a professional who you have been in contact with about your addiction.

Recovery Capital

Recovery capital refers to all the things in your life apart from drugs and alcohol. This can include things like having a roof over your head, your friends, family, hobbies or interests. We work with you to build and strengthen these aspects of your life, which can help you to recover from your dependency.

Recovery Coaching

We support you with coaching and other services throughout your recovery journey.

Recovery Journey

We believe that everyone’s recovery journey will be different and unique to them. At Blenheim we offer a variety of recovery services and interventions that we tailor to your needs: “The essence of recovery is a lived experience of improved life quality and a sense of empowerment… the principles of recovery focus on the central ideas of hope, choice, freedom and aspiration” – Best and Laudet, The Potential of Recovery Capital, 2010

Referral to Detox

This means we can make an onward referral for you to somewhere providing detoxification interventions, if this is something that could benefit you.

Referrals

Most of our services accept self-referrals and professional referrals. All of our services provide onward referrals, which means we can put you forward to access other services that could help you.

Relapse Management

Relapse can be part of the recovery process, so we work closely with you to manage this and support your recovery.

Satellite Clinics

These are specialist services we offer in health centres, hostels and children's services to provide support for people outside of our services.

School Workshops

Some of our services run interactive workshops in schools which help to inform young people about drugs and alcohol.

Self-referral

This means you can get in touch with a service and ask for help yourself, without needing to involve anyone else.

Sexual Health Advice

We can provide you with information about safe sex, pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. There are also organisations we can refer you to that will be able to provide further advice and support.

Signposting

We can refer you to other organisations and clinics that will be able to help you with specialist information or support on things such as benefits or mental health.

SMART Recovery

This is a mutual aid group (peer support) which uses cognitive behavioural therapy. This self-empowering recovery support group is an alternative to 12 Step Programmes like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

Steroids

The use of anabolic steroids and other Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs (PIEDs) has increased over the last few decades. Anabolic steroids are man-made compounds which are similar to the male hormone testosterone. These prescription only drugs are frequently used at a higher dose than medically advisable in order to enhance physical performance and muscle mass. However, the use of anabolic steroids can cause a number of unwanted physical and psychological effects. Find out more information on our factsheet.

SUNDIAL Accredited Training

Some of our services offer accredited SUNDIAL courses. This means you will have already completed accredited modules if you choose to pursue a fuller qualification afterwards.

Therapeutic Family Interventions

We work together with families to make therapeutic interventions that support recovery.

Training for Professionals

Some of our services provide training for professionals who are working in the borough, or with people who live in the borough. Blenheim also has a training department who offer sector leading training, which you can find out about here.

Women Only Groups

Some of our services offer support groups which are exclusively for women, which can provide a safe and supportive environment to work through difficult issues.

Young People's Services

Some of our services are for children and young people, rather than adults. These services offer accessible help and support if you are worried about or need help with alcohol or drugs. You can find honest factsheets about drugs and alcohol for children and young people here.

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At Blenheim we work with over 10,000 people a year making a positive impact on their lives

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